Oxford, Mississippi (December 7, 2011) –Mississippi music is the focus of the 2011 edition of The Oxford American magazine's award-winning and critically-acclaimed annual Southern Music issue.

 This issue will also serve as a 20th anniversary celebration and homecoming of sorts for the national magazine, which was founded in Oxford, Miss., in 1992.

 “Mississippi has a proud musical heritage, and it is only fitting that the Oxford American honors our true southern legacy as the Birthplace of America’s music in its latest issue,” Gov. Haley Barbour said. “This is a great opportunity to highlight Mississippians, who have contributed so much to all genres of music.”

The Oxford American’s 2011 Southern Music issue is now available on newsstands nationwide.  It is packaged with a CD dedicated to an exploration of music produced by native Mississippians.  The magazine will also include a special editorial section with articles about the artists and songs featured on the Mississippi CD.

"Mississippi has produced some of the world's most beloved musicians across a wide range of genres, and its musical heritage is widely respected and admired," said Warwick Sabin, Publisher of The Oxford American.  "Our challenge is to thoughtfully and deeply explore the music of Mississippi, in order to unearth hidden treasures and introduce our readers and listeners to people and stories they otherwise would never know.  As we have proven over the years, that is what The Oxford American does best, and we are up to the challenge." 

The Mississippi music CD and the special editorial section about Mississippi music was produced in partnership with the Mississippi Development Authority’s Division of Tourism, and after the 2011 Southern Music issue, The Oxford American will work with the agency to hold events around the state to celebrate the musical heritage of Mississippi. 

"This tribute by The Oxford American is an excellent way to experience and enjoy the musical heritage of Mississippi," said Mississippi Director of Tourism Mary Beth Wilkerson. "Whether a die-hard blues fan or an explorer in search of their True South, this issue will provide facts and sounds that will start them on their musical journey." 

In 2009, The Oxford American inaugurated a new series through which its annual Southern Music issue focuses on the musical heritage of the South each year, working to cover the breadth and depth of music from the region. 

The Oxford American’s annual Southern Music issue has won two National Magazine Awards and other high honors since it was first introduced in 1999.  It is considered by many readers and listeners to be among the best music packages in the country.  Over the years, NPR has featured many of The Oxford American's Southern Music Issues on its broadcasts.  The New York Times once wrote, "The Oxford American may be the liveliest literary magazine in America … The CDs are so smart and eclectic they probably belong in the Smithsonian." 

The Southern Music issue has showcased everyone from R.E.M. to the Gants, Isaac Hayes to Erma Franklin, Lucinda Williams to Karen Dalton, Carl Perkins to the Armstrong Twins, Willie Nelson to Gary Stewart, Jerry Lee Lewis to Nellie Lutcher, and more.  Such music writing legends as Greil Marcus, William Gay, Stanley Crouch, Peter Guralnick, Steve Martin, Rosanne Cash, Nick Tosches, and Kevin Brockmeier—among many others—have contributed memorable writing to the Southern Music Issues. 

For more information about Mississippi or the Oxford American: www.VisitMississippi.org , www.oxfordamerican.org. 

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